Yesterday was a special day. On Tuesday, Dave, a neighbor, had suggested I join him to climb and ski “Pinecone”, an out-of-bound ridge in the Jupiter area of Park City. I hesitated because of age and declining VO2max. 

The last time I climbed it was with my daughter on December 31, 2006, so quite a long time ago, when I was only 59, and I remember having suffered a bit as I carried her skis to the top! The climb is a 420 foot vertical, 40 degree slope situated between 9,400 and 9,900 feet elevation and I’ve always found it exhausting (I have done it a half-dozen times when I was much younger).

After a short hesitation, I decided to join the group and pretty soon we were at the bottom of the hill. Dave who is still 60 (lucky him!) had been joined by Jeff, a 72 year old friend. I climbed it in just 20 minutes, a few yards behind my neighbor but well ahead of the other septuagenarian which made me feel very good. 

My skiing partners decided for an encore and I passed. Instead, I hiked Jupiter Peak, a significantly shorter trek leading a much steeper and intimidating couloir. When I was done with my hikes for the year, I quietly returned home…